CAPRICORN(December 22 - January 19)Enjoy qualitytime with family, perhaps sharing a meal. Express the worries you may be feeling for a younger sibling. Monetary issues need your attention. Don't get carried away with spending now and you will have money for travel and entertainment later. You expect more from yourself than ever. You're confident in the quality of your work but a lack of appreciation may disappoint you. You feel a lack of control. A desire for material and emotional prosperity may be making you feel restless. If you channel this frustration in the right direction, it could lead to a significant breakthrough.

SAGITTARIUS(November 22 - December 21)An opportunity to take a short journey away from home may be on the way. You may be accompanied by a caregiver or sibling. Take care to communicate effectively now, whether through email, phone or text. Being a good listener is key. Today brings you closer to loved ones. It's an ideal moment to express your feelings and gratitude. Enjoy and share the warmth of love. Don't overanalyze; instead, be emotive and expressive. Share what you feel for them. Give them what they want and notice their reactions. You'd be surprised.

PISCES(February 19 - March 20)You are happiest right now when you are alone, free to pursue philosophical or spiritual thoughts. You may feel a need for change, may be feeling restless. Success can be achieved if you listen to elders and take time to attend to your mental and emotional health right now. Powerful bonds and emotions take the center stage as the need for vivid experiences becomes more pronounced. New meanings and dimensions to your existence fires your imagination. A critical need for finances may occupy your time and energy. Look for help as needed. Try to create more fun and enjoy romance as it comes your way. Enjoy the moment!

ARIES(March 21 - April 19)A recent loss or accident may be causing you some stress. Weight current decisions carefully to avoid fraud or deception. Join a club or partake of a social event if you are feeling lonely or cut off from others. You will be a welcome addition to any party or social group. Face the fears that are holding you back. Good fortune is headed your way. A partnership or deal is likely today. Others view you as approachable which helps you in your personal and professional life. You are energetic and hardworking, traits that help you achieve. Your ability to learn from mistakes, both yours and others', will take you places.

TAURUS(April 20 - May 20)Affairs of the heart may be complicated right now, with a relationship in peril of ending. Do what you can to salvage the connection but be ready to let go if needed. Work is richly rewarding right now, with your hard work finally being noticed. A raise or a promotion may now be yours. Take a break from your super busy schedule and concentrate on doing what you are best at, spend time with your friends, even indulge in hobbies. Avoid turning point decisions, especially concerning work. You may make new friends or enemies who will help or obstruct your endeavors. Be tactful in conversation. Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.

CANCER(June 21 - July 22)A secret or a mistake may be weighing on you right now. Share your concerns with a trusted mentor or teacher. Engaging in vices or risky behaviors would be harmful to your health and reputation. Instead, look to spirituality and meditation, maybe even to travel, for relief and answers. Bitter memories are dispelled by pleasant recollections and a general feeling of well being in the air. Social and financial security are important to you now. Surprises may be in store, perhaps an inheritance. Responsibilities to a father figure come into the picture now. If you feel emotionally drained, take time to gather strength.

AQUARIUS(January 20 - February 18)You are buoyant right now, enjoying material success. Healthy body requires a healthy food and healthy outlook. This is an ideal moment for a new project or idea that has been taking shape in your mind. Pursue that plan now while you are feel confident and supported. Speak out loud the desires in your heart. Freedom presents itself to you now, perhaps in the form of a trip or just a fresh idea that lets you push the boundaries spiritually and intellectually. Enjoy this mood of boundless energy but don't throw caution to the wind. Now is the time to count your gains and consolidate your power.

VIRGO(August 23 - September 22)You may be feeling alone, surrounded by enemies engaging in small minded disputes. Ignore the competition and focus on the work at hand. Some new training or learning a new skill will serve you well. Those closest to you -- partners, spouse, clients -- are in focus. Don't desert the plans you made. Avoid individuals and environments that leave you emotionally drained. Be wise in the way you handle money as that will help you in days to come. If you put expenses in line with your income now you'll benefit from surplus funds later. Practice caution.

GEMINI(May 21 - June 20)Complications may occur before or during travel. Your managerial skills will prove useful in dealing with any complications that you face right now, at home or at work. Your ability to lead and work hard has been noticed by others and will soon be rewarded. You're in a partying mood, interested in being active, creative and in the company of others. Expect an invitation or sudden desire to see a movie or play or go to a sports game. You confidently set your own rules now. Be level headed in this moment of exhilaration and don't get carried too far from reality.

LEO(July 23 - August 22)Monetary setbacks may be a cause of stress right now. Weigh all plans and purchases carefully. If unmarried, it may be time to take the next step in your relationship. Now is an ideal time to tie up loose ends and prepare for a new phase in life. Some personal time will help you flourish today. Take a short trip to visit family or old friends. Communicate with a woman you are close to. Those in creative professions will have a profitable day. A sudden email or phone call may alter the course of your day. Plan for future possibilities before you commit to any relationship or partnership.

LIBRA(September 23 - October 22)Enjoy yourself now but don't overdo it. Risky behavior could lead to injury or an accident. Disputes with professed enemies require diplomacy. Your creativity and dedication at work are visible for all to see. An elder, perhaps a grandfather, will need or offer assistance. This transitional phase of the month is full of excitement as you explore new options for yourself. What seemed impossible before now suddenly seems plausible. Make good use of this new energy. Today's a good day to handle difficult tasks and conquer those tasks you've been avoiding. Let yourself soar.

SCORPIO(October 23 - November 21)Be diplomatic in your conversations with family members right now, especially parents and grandparents. Enjoy leisure time but avoid risky monetary choices, such as gambling. Just being or working outdoors should engage your creativity and spiritual side. Follow your gut. You are in the right frame of mind to evaluate your own assets and limitations, personality wise. Follow your heart and you will avoid confusion. Take time for yourself without neglecting responsibilities. Plan your road map carefully and it will lead you to your goals.

Animal Fylgja

I felt like posting something to explore the concept of Fylgja, as I think it can be an important part of Heathenry and Northern cultural workings in general. A lot of it gets mixed up in the neo-workings and re-creations of older practices.

The animal-shaped fetch is usually in a form that corresponds to the character of the person to whom it is attached-a wolf, an eagle, a horse, a fox, a mouse, and so on. It can be separated from the vitki as a magical act. The vitki also may project his conscious will into the fetch in order to carry out magical workings. A geometrical shape is often seen by those with "second sight" going out in front of persons of great power. The fylgja is the repository of all of the actions of the persons to whom the entity was previously attached. It can be the source of great power but also of tremendous responsibilities and even hardships. This entity is the storehouse of orlog-it can protect and it can doom. (Thorsson)

During the deep trance/meditative stages of Seidhr or dream-workings you may work with your animal fetch. An animal fetch is akin to spirit guides, animal totems, familiars, power animals, and so much more. None of those words do it justice, as I see it as a large combination of all of these things. Sometimes certain animal fertches may be called: fylgja** (follower), and alsoVordr (keeper/protector).. The exact definition and meaning of these words are debatable, as the concepts can be quite elaborate- so Ill do my best to condense them down.These are the animals/creatures that are believed to accompany us throughout our entire life (it always remains the same animal).

This animal conforms and molds to the persons personality. Like a mirror image, the animal fylgja represents the person it stands for. It is believed that our well-being depends on the well-being of our animal fylgja. It is very similar to the concept of Hugr, the norse concept of the soul- and many people view the fylgja as being a part of this hugr, or soul, that is capable of leaving the body and projecting. (Sound familiar?) Yet while it is thought to be attached to us, and a part or piece of our soul, it is thought to also be slightly independent. Gundarsson describes it as a semi-independent being. You may wish to read my article on Norse concepts of soul,as it is hard to understand this idea without the backing concepts.

Often throughout Norse/Icelandic literature youll find mentioning of a persons fylgja warning them of some event to come in their dreams. It was thought that someones fylgja might appear to someone else in their dreams as well. Ljosvetninga saga tells the tale of a man who sees two animal fylgja leading a herd against him, and when he wakes he knows who the owners of the fylgja are and knows of their intent to do him harm from the characteristics and behaviors of those animals.Further than that, it is thought that some people possess a special ability or second sight that allows them to see the fylgja of others, much like some people see spirits and other entities. Seeing your own fylgja (while awake) was thought to be bad luck, and an omen of illness or death.

Its believed that the animal fylgja and the owner are strongly connected on a spiritual level. The animal, as I mentioned, tends to symbolize the person. In literature we find that sometimes certain animals symbolized ranks. Chiefs and other important men were thought to have big, exotic or even foreign animals- while men of less class or rank may have smaller, more normalized animals as their fylgja. Today, this hasnt been as strongly believed in as it once was. As I also mentioned, our well-being depends on the well-being of our animal fylgja. By this I mean that it was thought that should a person die, their animal fylgja dies too. (Actually, it was thought that the fylgja dies before the person, which leads to that person dying soon afterwards- as it would represent a part of that person, and their soul, moving on to the next life). Similar to reincarnation, there is the idea that certain animal fylgja are passed down through lineage and that strong fylgjas may choose to pass on from one person to their kin, and thus stores a sense of the previous persons it has been a part of. (This ties in closely with Norse views of lineage,kin, heritage, etc).

In Scandinavian folklore, each person has an animal shape which follows him like a shadow and can be seen by the second-sighted (although what is seen may be the hamingja, see below). Shamans can shape-change astrally into a variety of animals to go journeying. In the Ynglingasaga, Snorri tells us that among the seidh skills possessed by Odin was the ability to go forth in animal form while his body lay as if sleepingSomeone who changes form easily is hamrammR-- "shapestrong"; a journey taken in another shape is hamfarir; hamask means to fall into a state of animal fury; hamslauss to be out of one's shape; and hambleytha is the act of leaping out of one's skin. One is reminded of the Navajo term, "skinwalker" for a witch who takes wolf form. For simplicity's sake, I favor referring to a spirit guide who appears in animal form as the hamingja, and the shape which an experienced practitioner of seidh uses for astral travel as the hamR. (Paxson)

In Heathenry and magickal workings, the fylgja serves a variety of purposes. For one, it is thought that Gods or deities may send us messages or otherwise interact with us through our fylgja. When faring forth or setting out- a person doing these types of working is actually doing projecting, similar to the ideas of AP. Skilled practiconers and northern shamans work on projecting, spiritwalking or otherwise doing seidhr journeywork while IN the form their animal fylgja is in. This means the person spiritually would take that animal form, and travel (project) with it to the other realms for some purpose. There are several other uses for working in the fylgja form. Berserks often channel or project an animal when doing their works, and the eigi einhamr did similar things- spiritually manipulating their hugr to take on these forms. The fylgja can be called upon to Fare forth for a person, and bring back information. Help in communing with other entities and spirits. It can be called for protection and defense, spiritually. And it often accompanies the northern shaman/worker on their spirit journeys.

As I mentioned in my article on Norse concepts of soul: You might look into Freya Aswynn's work if you are interested in learning more of how this is implemented into magick, and related to Western ideas. In a way, when you are projecting your hug, altering it, sending it on tasks- it is similar to the idea of Astral Projection, more or less. Because if you didnt already know- Ham and Hide are the two terms technically referring to energy/astral body. The word LICHE is used to describe the physical body. If you dont see the word liche when youre reading something on this- its not talking about anything physical.(and again be careful with your sources! Sometimes the word liche is used inappropriately to describe a dead corpse- under the concepts I speak of it just means body) Ive used the term Faring forth before- which is what we tend to call this. Its shamanic, in a way, and involves the traveling of realms, planes, etc through trance-work and other means.

** Be careful with the word Fylgja. It may also refer to a womans spirit that attaches itself to a person. Seeing this fylgja was said to be an omen of negativity and often death. People also tend to associate the woman fylgja with luck. Should you have her favor, your luck is greatly improved. Should you fall into an ill relationship with your fylgja, your luck is ruined. The ideas of a woman fylgja are surprisingly similar to the ideas of an animal fylgja, in that it is thought they too followed individuals throughout their lives. They were typically known as dis. Valkyries, the Norns, and other female spirits could be this attending spirit.

In Old Norse myth and literature, three supernatural beings, fylgjur (sg. fylgja), hamingjur (sg. hamingja), and dsir (sg. ds) held status as attendant spirits. Linguistically, ds and hamingja hold a more straightforward connotation. The word ds generally refers to a goddess or priestess, but in the terms discussed here it denotes a female guardian spirit.6 The word hamingja, interestingly, can suggest outright luck or fortune, while still holding on to the meaning of a guardian spirit. Cleasby-Vigfsson remarks that hamingja and fylgja are contextually almost synonymous, for hamingjur, like fylgjur, often take the shape either of an animal or of a human, typically female, form. The hamingjur developed from the mythological Norns, or the hamingjur of the world (Cleasby-Vigfsson 1957, hamingja).(Bryan)**

**Also keep in mind, the animal fylgja DO NOT have to appear as animals. They have been said to appear as mirror images of the person they stand for. But more typically are seen to be perceived as animals. And you may have MORE than one animal fylgja, though more than two is uncommon.**

Article on Seidhr:

http://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=395298

Article on Nordic Concepts of the Soul:

http://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=396609

Article on Orlog:

http://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=387233

Sources:

Hyge-Crft: Working with the Soul in the Northern Tradition by Diana L. Paxson

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